Safety insert for a five gallon container of paint, laquer, finish, or other liquid material

ABSTRACT

A safety insert for a five gallon container of paint, laquer, finish, or other liquid material to prevent a child from falling into the five gallon container and drowning or suffocating. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72( b ). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72( b ): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a safety insert for a five gallon container of paint, laquer, finish, or other liquid material, to prevent a child from falling into the five gallon container and drowning or suffocating.

2. Background Information

Certain containers, such as five gallon containers for paint, laquer, finish, or other liquid material, pose a risk of injury or drowning to young children. There have been hundreds of documented instances of young children falling head-first into plastic pails containing liquids with resultant injury or drowning. Five gallon containers are also used for bulk or commercial-sized quantities of a wide variety of other products, including food, and construction materials such as spackling compound. When emptied of their original contents, these containers are sometimes reused as pails by consumers. Similar five gallon containers are also sold new in stores as large-volume household pails.

A young child's curiosity, combined with their crawling and pulling up while learning to walk, can lead to drowning when paint containers or other five gallon containers are used around the house. The aforesaid injuries and drownings can occur, for example, if a curious child were to crawl to a five gallon container of paint, a pail containing mop water, or some other liquid for use in performing household chores. If the child pulls him or herself up on the pail and leans forward to play in the water or to retrieve an object, the child could topple into the container or pail. He or she may have his or her shoulders lodged in the container or pail, and be unable to free himself or herself. These drownings can occur with just a few inches of liquid in the bottom of the pail. Given the size and shape of such containers and pails, and their stability when they contain only a small amount of liquid, they may not tip over when a child leans over them and falls in.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,179 granted Feb. 2, 1993 to G. H. Morris deals with the problem of children drowning in pails, and suggests as a solution the inclusion of an integral pedestal in the bottom of the pail, which pedestal projects upwardly toward the top of the pail a sufficient distance to prevent a child's head from descending into any liquid contained in the pail. The pedestal extends upwardly at least half the height of the pail, and is of sufficient diameter to produce a radial space in the pail which contains the liquid therein, which radial space is less than the diameter of the head of the typical toddling child. This solution requires the manufacture of specialized pails and the presence of the pedestal in the pail decreases the amount of liquid or other material that the pail can hold. The pedestal also limits the range of possible uses for the pail. For example, these specially configured pails will not be readily usable as mop pails. It is therefore submitted that the aforesaid solution to the problem of child drowning or injury in pails is impractical and is not likely to be commercially viable.

Other solutions to the problem have been suggested, such as: rendering the pails unstable and readily tippable if a child were to lean on the pail, or rendering the pails incapable of being reused with liquids. In the latter case, the pails would contain original contents packaged in liners which are positioned in the pails. If one were to render pails unstable, their use would be severely limited because they would be prone to tipping over for many different reasons so that their contents would be in danger of spilling all of the time. If one were to render pails incapable of containing a liquid without also containing a liner, this would not address the intentional use of pails for household chores which are intended to contain liquids; and would also not stop one from putting liquids in the pails if one were to leave the liner in the pail.

The embodiments of the present application could prevent children from falling into five gallon containers and drowning, by blocking the center of the container and leaving too small an area for any child's head to fit into. Further, the embodiments according to the present application could be installed in a five gallon container during manufacturing, or after the container has been bought by the consumer. In addition, the embodiments according to the present application may be permanently affixed in the five gallon container, or may be removable and reused.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

The object is to provide a child safety device for insertion into large containers, such as five gallon containers, in order to prevent a child's head from becoming lodged in the container and causing the child to suffocate or drown.

SUMMARY

This child safety device could displace a minimal amount of the product inside of the five gallon container since the safety device is hollow. Further, the container could still be used for other purposes after the original contents have been used, such as filling it with water or other products and liquids for cleaning, painting, or any number of household chores.

The five gallon plastic container molds used in industry to manufacture the container may not have to be altered very much to be able to accommodate the safety device into the containers to make one complete molded piece.

Because of the design of the safety device, the assembly lines in industry used to fill the five-gallon containers with the many different products stored in five-gallon containers may not be substantially affected in any way.

The cost in plastic material used to make the safety device in the center of the five-gallon containers could also be very small.

For the millions of five gallon plastic containers that have already been manufactured, and are still in circulation and used worldwide, and which still pose a major drowning threat for infants and children, the safety device may greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of infants and children falling in and drowning. Once the tight-fitting safety device is installed in the plastic five gallon container it cannot be easily moved, and could prevent children from falling into the containers and drowning or suffocating.

The bottom base area of the safety tower can also be manufactured with a smaller circumference to make it smaller and in this way fit easier into the center of all five gallon plastic containers, in which case a strong permanent bonding glue could be applied to the bottom base surface to essentially prevent anyone from easily removing the safety device from the container.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further hereinbelow. When the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments of the invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a child safety device in accordance with one possible embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of a five gallon container for holding paint, laquer, finish, or other liquids;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the child safety device according to FIG. 1 installed in a five gallon container;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the child safety device shown in FIG. 1 installed in a five gallon container, with possible measurements or dimensions thereof;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a child safety device in accordance with another possible embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a possible embodiment of a five gallon container for holding paint, laquer, finish, or other liquids;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the child safety device according to FIG. 5 installed in a five gallon container;

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the child safety device installed in a five gallon container, and possible dimensions and measurements thereof;

FIG. 8A shows an overhead view of the child safety device shown in FIG. 1 installed in a five gallon container;

FIG. 8B shows an overhead view of the child safety device shown in FIG. 5 installed in a five gallon container;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the child safety device shown in FIG. 5 installed in a five gallon container;

FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of the child safety device shown in FIG. 1 installed in a five gallon container;

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the child safety device installed in a five gallon container; and

FIG. 11 shows one possible embodiment of a base piece for the child safety device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a child safety device in accordance with one possible embodiment. According to this embodiment, the child safety device 10 comprises a hollow elongated tower piece 12 with an open top end that is configured to stand vertically when installed in a five gallon container or bucket. According to one possible embodiment, the wall of the tower piece 12 is 3/16of an inch thick, but could be thicker or thinner in other possible embodiments. The hollow elongated tower piece 12 comprises a plurality of slit openings 16. The slit openings 16 are configured to allow the liquid material inside of the five gallon container to pass into the hollow elongated tower piece 12 in order to prevent a substantial displacement of the liquid in the container. In one possible embodiment, the slit openings 16 could be one inch wide, approximately 9.5 inches long, and could be disposed at 90 degree intervals around the hollow elongated tower piece 12, for a total of four slit openings 16. It is also possible for the hollow elongated tower piece 12 to comprise several more slit openings, or just one slit opening, or other openings, such as circular holes. In addition, the slit openings 16 could be longer or shorter, or wider or narrower, in other possible embodiments.

A base piece 14 is disposed at the bottom of the hollow elongated tower piece 12, in use, and is configured to hold the child safety device 10 in place when installed in a five gallon container. According to this embodiment, the base piece 14 comprises a flexible lip 18, which flexible lip 18 is disposed circumferentially about the base piece 14. This flexible lip 18 permits the child safety device 10 to be installed in a five gallon container after the manufacturing of the container, i.e., in the home of the consumer. The flexible lip 18 also permits the child safety device 10 to be removed and reused, such as for cleaning in the home. It should be noted that the dimensions given in FIG. 1 are only possible examples of measurements according to one possible embodiment. Any number of other dimensions are possible, such as a larger or smaller container, a shorter or taller tower piece, or a thinner or wider hollow tower piece. The measurements given in FIG. 1 are not meant to limit the embodiments of the present application in any way.

FIG. 2 shows a five gallon container 20 for holding paint, laquer, finish, or other liquids. The five gallon container 20 comprises a wall portion 22 and a base portion 24. FIG. 3 shows the child safety device 10 installed in the five gallon container 20. The height of the tower piece 12 is substantially greater than its width, so that a child's head is prevented from fitting between the child safety device 10 and the wall 22 of the container in which it is installed, and prevents a child from falling into the container 20 and drowning or suffocating.

To install the child safety device 10 in a five gallon container 20, the user simply presses the child safety device 10 with a downward motion into the container 20. The flexible lip 18 will allow the child safety device 10 to slide to the base 24 of the five gallon container 20, and will then hold the child safety device, 10 firmly in place. When the child safety device 10 is properly installed, it will stand rigidly in place such that it essentially cannot be moved from side to side, bent, shifted, or otherwise compromised. The elongated hollow tower piece 12, when installed, stands substantially in the center of the five gallon container 20. The device can be installed into an empty container during manufacturing or after manufacturing, or it can be installed into a container that is already full of liquid, since the slit openings 16 allow liquid to pass through the hollow elongated tower piece 12.

FIG. 4 shows the child safety device 10 installed in a five gallon container 20, with possible measurements and dimensions. It should be noted that the dimensions given in FIG. 4 are only possible examples of measurements according to one possible embodiment. Any number of other dimensions are possible, such as a larger or smaller container, a shorter or taller tower piece, or a thinner or wider hollow tower piece. The measurements given in FIG. 4 are not meant to limit the embodiments of the present application in any way.

FIG. 5 shows another possible embodiment of the child safety device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4. According to this embodiment, the child safety device 30 comprises a hollow elongated tower piece 32 with an open top end, that is configured to stand vertically when installed in a five gallon container or bucket. According to one possible embodiment, the tower piece 32 is 3/16of an inch thick, but could be thicker or thinner in other possible embodiments. The hollow elongated tower piece 32 comprises a plurality of slit openings 36. The slit openings 36 are configured to allow the liquid material inside of the five gallon container to pass into the hollow elongated tower piece 32 in order to prevent a substantial displacement of the liquid in the container. In one possible embodiment, the slit openings 36 could be one inch wide, approximately 9.5 inches long, and could be disposed every ninety degrees along the hollow elongated tower piece 32. It is also possible for the hollow elongated tower piece 32 to comprise several more slit openings, or just one slit opening, or other openings, such as circular holes. In addition, the slit openings 36 could be longer or shorter, or wider or narrower, in other possible embodiments.

A base piece 34 is disposed at the bottom of the hollow elongated tower piece 32, in use, and is configured to hold the child safety device 30 in place when installed in a five gallon container. According to this embodiment, the base piece 34 has a substantially smaller, diameter than the diameter of the base of the container into which it is installed. The base piece 34 can be attached to the base of the container using glue or another adhesive material, and is designed to remain in the container.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is installed when the five gallon container 40 is manufactured, or also in the home of a consumer. The child safety device 30 is permanently adhered to the base of the container by the manufacturer. It is also possible for a user to use an adhesive to permanently install the child safety device 30 into a container in his or her own home. When the child safety device 30 is properly installed, it will stand rigidly in place such that it cannot be moved from side to side, bent, shifted, or otherwise compromised. The elongated hollow tower piece 32, when installed, stands substantially in the center of the five gallon container 40. The device can be installed into an empty container during manufacturing or after manufacturing.

FIG. 6 shows a five gallon container 40 for holding paint, laquer, finish, or other liquids. The five gallon container 40 comprises a wall portion 42 and a base 44. FIG. 7 shows the child safety device 30 installed in the five gallon container 40. The height of the tower piece 32 is substantially greater than its width, so that a child's head is prevented from fitting between the child safety device 30 and the wall 42 of the container in which it is installed, and prevents a child from falling into the container 40 and drowning or suffocating. In this embodiment, the base piece 34 of the child safety device 30 does not touch any sides of the cylindrical wall portion 42 of the five gallon container 40.

FIG. 8 shows an overhead view of the child safety device installed in a container according to one possible embodiment. It should be noted that the dimensions,given in FIG. 8 are only possible examples of measurements according to one possible embodiment. Any number of other dimensions are possible, such as a larger or smaller container, or a thinner or wider hollow tower piece. The measurements given in FIG. 8 are not meant to limit the embodiments of, the present application in any way. FIG. 8 a shows an overhead view of the embodiment of the safety device 10 shown in FIG. 1 installed in a five gallon container 20. FIG. 8B shows an overhead view of the embodiment of the safety device 30 shown in FIG. 5 installed in a five gallon container 40. FIG. 10 also shows an overhead view of the safety device installed in a five gallon container.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the safety device 30 shown in FIG. 5 installed in a container 40. FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of the safety device 10 shown in FIG. 1 installed in a container 20.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a base piece for the child safety device. In this embodiment, the base comprises legs or spokes 52 for easy submersion of the child safety device 50 into a container already filled with liquid. It should be noted that this is only one other example of a possible base piece, and any number of other designs are possible. FIG. 11 is therefore not meant to limit the design of the base in any way.

The components of the child safety device and the five gallon container could be constructed with several different materials, such as rubberized plastic, plastic, metal, or any number of materials.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patent applications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present application . . .” may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patent applications and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.

All of the references and documents, cited in any of the documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. 

1. A combination of a five gallon container for paint, varnish, finish, or other liquid materials, and a child safety device; said five gallon container comprising a cylindrical wall portion and a base portion; said child safety device being configured to be disposed to prevent a child from falling in said five gallon container; said child safety device being of sufficient height, width, and rigidity to substantially prevent a child's head from fitting into said five gallon container and being injured and drowning; said child safety device comprising an elongated hollow tower piece being configured to be disposed vertically and substantially in the center of said five gallon container and a base piece being disposed at the bottom of said elongated hollow tower piece, in use; said elongated hollow tower piece comprising: a height and a width, said height being substantially greater than said width; said width being sufficient to prevent a child's head from fitting and becoming lodged between said cylindrical wall portion of said five gallon container and said elongated hollow tower piece; a plurality of openings being configured to allow liquid material in said five gallon container to pass into said elongated hollow tower piece or vice versa; said base piece comprising a substantially flat portion being configured to rest against the base portion of said five gallon container: said base piece comprising a stabilizing element being configured and disposed to hold said base piece steady against said base portion of said five gallon container, such that said child safety device stands rigidly in place.
 2. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 1, wherein said child safety device is constructed with rubberized plastic.
 3. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 2, wherein said child safety device is removable.
 4. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 3, wherein said child safety device is permanently adhered to said five gallon container.
 5. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of openings are vertical slits.
 6. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 5, wherein said base piece of said child safety device has a similar diameter as said base of said five gallon container.
 7. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 6, wherein said base piece comprises a flexible lip for gripping said cylindrical wall portion of said five gallon container.
 8. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 7, wherein said base piece of said child safety device has a substantially smaller diameter than said base of said five gallon container.
 9. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 8, wherein said container is larger or smaller than a five gallon container.
 10. The combination of a five gallon container and child safety device according to claim 9, wherein said base piece of said child safety device comprises legs or spokes which extend toward the cylindrical wall portion of said five gallon container.
 11. A combination of a container and child safety device for preventing the head of a child from becoming lodged in said container and drowning or suffocating; said container comprising a substantially cylindrical wall portion and a base portion; said child safety device being configured to be-disposed in said container to prevent a child from falling ion said container; said child safety device comprising a hollow tower piece being configured to be disposed vertically in said container and a base piece being disposed at the bottom of said hollow tower piece, in use; said hollow tower piece comprising: a height and a width, said height being substantially greater than said width; said width being sufficient to prevent a child's head from fitting and becoming lodged between said cylindrical wall portion of said container and said hollow tower piece; said base piece comprising a portion being configured to rest against the base portion of said container: said base piece comprising a stabilizing element being configured and disposed to hold said base piece against said base portion of said container, such that said child safety device stands in place.
 12. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 11, wherein said child safety device is constructed with rubberized plastic.
 13. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 12, wherein said child safety device is removable.
 14. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 13, wherein said child safety device is permanently adhered to said five gallon container.
 15. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 14, wherein said child safety devices comprises a plurality of openings or vertical slits.
 16. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 15, wherein said base piece of said child safety device has a similar diameter as said base of said five gallon container.
 17. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 16, wherein said base piece comprises a flexible lip for gripping said cylindrical wall portion of said five gallon container.
 18. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 17, wherein said base piece of said child safety device has a substantially smaller diameter than said base of said five gallon container.
 19. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 18, wherein said container is larger or smaller than a five gallon container.
 20. The combination of a container and child safety device according to claim 19, wherein said base piece of said child safety device comprises legs or spokes which extend toward the cylindrical wall portion of said five gallon container. 